News

Modi Losing Sway Over Gujarat?

by IBNS 21 Feb 2016, 09:09 pm

In a surprising move, Anandien Patel, Gujarat chief minister, appointed JagrutiPandya as chairperson of the Gujarat State Commission for Protection of Childrens Rights. Pandya is the widow of the murdered former home minister, HarenPandya.

HarenPandya was minister of state for home. A part of the Kesshubhai Patel ministry, Pandya was a vocal critic of Narendra Modi, then the chief minister. The volley of criticisms, though, ended in 2003. Pandya was assassinated and it was clear the murder was politically motivated. Father of Pandya, VitthalbhaiPandya, along with his wife, Jagruti, were not satisfied with the investigation held by the Gurajat Police into the case. They had demanded for an investigation to be performed by the CBI.

In 2012, JagrutiPandya was agaistvoitingNarendraModi in the state Assembly elections. This was during the Gujarat Privartan Party Ticket back then. Congress’ candidate at that time was VitthalbhaiPandya, HarenPandya’s father.

BJB’s Joshi Sanjay

As a result of the taluka panchayat elections in Gujarat, the state BJP was left a laughing stock. In 2015, posters of BJB or BharatiyaJanata Party’s Joshi Sanjay, former secretary of Gujarat BJP, were collected from 20 places in Ahmedabad, with each poster containing the same message: bring back Joshi.

While the posters themselves carry no insults, police have been tasked to launch an investigation into the matter to find out who is behind the posters.

Years-long Feud

In the aftermath of the ShankersinhVaghela issue, Modi was pushed out and the BJP go the elections in 1998. Joshi became the general secretary of BJP in Gujarat. Since then, Modi seems to think Joshi Sanjay was a big reason for why he had been thrown out of the party. But in 2001, tides were reversed, when BJP Central leadership appointed Modi to chief minister, replacing Keshubhai Patel.

Gujarat’s Chief Minister  

To the surprise of many, Anandiben Patel attended the wedding of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) PravinTogadia’s son in Ahmedabad, where she and Joshi Sanjay proceeded to have a long talk. Pictures of that conversation were widely circulated on social media channels. A day after, Joshi was seen having lunch with Gujarat governor OP Kohli. In addition, he also met up with Keshubhai Patel, the former chief minister. 

Questions

Events seem to suggest a falling out between Anandiben Patel and Narendra Modi. Attending the wedding itself, of Togadia’s soon, is a curious thing and makes people wonder about events unfolding behind closed doors. After all, why would the chief minister of Gujarat attend the wedding of one of the most persistent Modi haters, Togadia himself? Why does it look like Joshi Sanjay is meeting up with old friends and supporters?

Many questions linger in the public’s mind. And while the BJP can express all the denial they want, thoughts on what’s happening between Anandiben Patel and the Prime Minister. And what role will Joshi Sanjay play in the coming months. How important will Joshi Sanjay be in the future of the country? The only recourse the public has is to wait and hope for how things will play out.

For more news, visit your number one Gujarati newspaper, Divya Bhaskar.